AU645929B1

AU645929B1 - Method for inhibiting aromatase

Info

Publication number: AU645929B1
Application number: AU38271/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yuko Ikeda; Akira Kato; Junko Miyagawa; Koichi Niimura
Original assignee: Kureha Corp
Current assignee: Kureha Corp
Priority date: 1992-05-21
Filing date: 1993-04-28
Publication date: 1994-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2013-04-28
Also published as: CA2091709A1; JPH05320049A; JP2700595B2; KR930023031A; KR960009414B1; DE69300127D1; EP0571267B1; US5286737A; DE69300127T2; EP0571267A1

Description

459 P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: METHOD FOR INHIBITING AROMATASE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: GH&CO REF: P13122-Z:AMP:RK METHOD FOR INHIBITING AROMATASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for hibiting aromatase in a patient by administering certain azole derivative compounds functioning as nonsteroidal inhibitors to the patient.

Description of the Related Art It is known that androgenic steroids can be converted to estrogens. In the biosynthetic pathway for estrogen formation from an androgenic steroid, aromatization, an essential step, is catalyzed by a small amount of an aromatase enzyme.

It is generally believed that, if the aromatase enzyme could be effectively inhibited, one could obtain a useful treatment for estrogen-dependent diseases. See Cancer Research, Vol. 42, Suppl. 8, 3261s (1982).

4-Hydroxyandrostenedione is well-known as an aromatase inhibitor (Biochem. Pharmacol. 31(5), 701-705 (1982)). However, the potency, selectivity, and sideeffect properties of 4-hydroxyandrostenedione are such that the compound is not readily uiSful in treating patients.

The present inventors have studied compounds useful for inhibiting the aromatase enzyme in a patient and discovered that azole derivatives of formula herein have an inhibitory effect on the aromatase enzyme.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for inhibiting aromatase in a patient by administering to the patient an effective amount of an azole derivative (or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof) of formula (1) II 1.

N (I) HO CH2 Ri r R3)n

RC

wherein: R, represents a hydrogen atom or a (c 1 -cs) alkyl group; R, represents a hydrogen atom or a alkyl group; R represents a halogen atom, a (c 1 -c 5 alkyl group, a haloalkyl group, a phenyl group, a cyano group, or a nitro group, R 3 being the same or different from each other; n represents an integer of 0 to 5, and o represents a nitrogen atom or CH.

By virtue of their ability to inhibit aromatase, the azole derivatives of formula are useful in the treatment and prevention of estrogen-dependent diseases, o 15 for example, breast cancer in a patient, especially estrogen-dependent breast cancer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The compounds used in the present invention are represented by formula above. In a preferred embodiment R, is a hydrogen atom and R, is a (c,-c 5 )alkyl, especially when R 2 is a (Cz-cs) alkyl group Since the compounds of formula have an azolylmethyl group at the l-position,a hydrogen atom or a alkyl group at the 2-position, and a substituted _LljI__ benzyl group at the 5-position, respectively, of a cyclopentane ring, the compounds have geometric isomers and optical isomers. The compounds used in the present ir ?antion include all of these respective isomers and mixtures of any number of isomers in any ratio.

Accordingly, aromatase inhibitors used in the present invention may contain a single isomer or a mixture of these isomers as an effective ingredient. The compounds of formula can be synthesized in accordance with the methods described in Japanese Application Laid-open (KOKAI) 64-79117 (1989) (See European Patent Publication 0294222-A2 for an English counterpart) and Japanese Application Laid-Open (KOKAI) 1-93574 (1989) (See European Patent Publication 0267778-A2 for an English counterpart.) The azole derivative is produced through a process comprising the steps of: a) reacting an alkyl ester of 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylic acid with a substituted benzyl halide or reacting the thus obtained alkyl ester of 1- (substituted benzyl)-2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylic acid with a (ci-cs)alkyl halide,(ii) reacting an alkyl ester of 3-(ci-c6) alkyl-2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylic acid with a substituted benzyl halide, or (iii) reacting 1- (substituted benzyl)-3- (cI-c, alkyl) -2oxocyclopentanecarboxylic acid with a (c,-cs)alkyl halide, thereby obtaining an ester derivative of cyclopentanecarboxylic acid represented by the formula V CH2---- R2COR (R3)n (V) wherein R, and R 2 represent either a hydrogen atom or a (ci-cs)alkyl group; R 3 represents a halogen atom, a

-R-

cs)alkyl group, a haloalkyl group, a phenyl group, a cyano group, or a nitro group, R 3 being the same or different from each other;' R is a (c,-cs)alkyl group; and n represents an integer of from 0 to 5 b) subjecting the thus obtained ester derivative of cyclopentanecarboxylic acid to hydrolytic decarboxylation, thereby obtaining a cyclopentanone derivative represented by the formula (IV): 0

RI

Rl CH2- R (Ra)n (IV) wherein R 2

R

3 and n respectively represent the same defined as above, c) subjecting the thus obtained cyclopentanone derivative to an oxirane reaction while using sulfonium ylide or sulfoxonium ylide to epoxidation, thereby converting the cyclopentanone derivative into an oxirane derivative represented by the formula (II): SIR3CH2

(II)

R2 CH(R3' 1 wherein R 1 Rz. R 3 and n respectively represent the same defined as above, and then d) reacting the thus obtained oxirane derivative with a 1,2,4-triazole or an imidazole aikaline metal salt represented by the formula (III): _nTli

MN

(III)

wherein M represents a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal atom and Y represents a nitrogen atom or a CH, thereby obtaining the azole derivative represented by the formula

I(I)

HO CH2 R2 (R3)n R CH2 S R wherein R, and R 2 represent either a hydrogen atom or a (ci-c 6 )alkyl group; R 3 represents a halogen atom, a (c Sc )alkyl group, a haloalkyl group, a phenyl group, a cyano group, or a nitro group, R 3 being the same or different; n represents an integer of from 0 to 5; and Y represents a nitrogen atom or CH.

As the diluent used in reactions in the process of producing the azole derivative represented by formula hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene etc.; halogenohydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, etc.; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, etc.; ether such' as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, etc. and as the others, acetonitrile, acetone, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, etc. may be exemplified.

Still more, in the process for producing the azole derivative, the reaction is carried out in the presence of a base or an acid in addition to the above-mentioned diluent. As the base used herein, alkali metal carbonates such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc., alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.; alkali metal alcoholates such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium tbutoxide, etc.; alkali metal hydrides such as sodium hydride, potassium hydride, etc.; alkyl compounds of an alkali metal such as n-butyl lithium, etc. and as the other, triethylamine, pyridine may be exemplified.

As the acid, inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, etc. and organic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, etc. may be exemplified.

In order to enhance the process for production of the azole derivative, for instance, in the case of obtaining the ester derivative of cyclopentanecarboxylic acid represented by formula it is preferable to I react a halogenated alkyl or a substituted benzyl halide with a compound represented by the formula: 0 CH2-a (R3)n

I

or the formula: Ri R 2>r CO2R which has been dissolved in the diluent, in the presence of the base as occasion demands. The reaction temperature may be selected optionally in the range of from the solidifying temperature of the diluent as the solvent to the boiling point thereof, preferably from 0 to 100C The derivative represented by formula (IV) can be obtained by subjecting the ester derivative of cyclopentanecarboxylic acid represented by formula to decarboxylation at a temperature of from 80 to 150"C with the inorganic acid or organic acid for from 2 to 24 hours, preferably with stirring urider inert atomosphere.

In order to obtain the azole derivative represented by formula the oxirane compound represented by formula (II) is added in the presence of the base as occasion demands, to a solution prepared by dissolving the azole compound represented by formula (III) into the diluent, or conversely, an alkali metal salt of the azole compound is added to a solution prepared by dissolving the oxirane compound in the diluent, to react the two compounds. The reaction temperature may be selected optionally in the range of from the scidifying point to the boiling point of the diluent. Practically, however, it is preferable to carry out the reaction at a temperature of from 0 to 120°C more preferably from to 120°C for from one to 24 hours under agitation.

After termination of the reaction, the thus obtained reaction mixture is cooled and extracted with an organic solvent such as ethyl acetate, chloroform, methylene chloride, benzene, etc. in iced water. After the organic layer had been separated, washed with water, and dried, the solvent is distilled off under reduced pressure from the organic layer. The thus-obtained residue was purified to obtain the objective compound. The purification procedure can be carried out by subjecting the residue to recrystallization, silica gelchromatography, etc.

The compounds of formula and the physicochemical properties thereof are shown in Table 1. "A type" and "B type" in Table i rep: sent the following two types.

111111111llil[ backward from the plane on the plane forward from the plane S(I -A)

YN

1 HO CHa R2 (Ra)n S IICH2-- H H X B) HO .CH2 R I 8 File Number=KRH92007P [Table 1] om. Type R, R, R n Y mp (00 1 H H 4-F 1 N 135-136 2 I-A H H 4-F 1 CH 139-140 3 I-A H H 4-Cl 1 N 115-116 4 I-A H H 4-Cl 1 CH 115-116 I-A H H 4-ON 1 N 115-116 6 I-A H H 4-CN 1 CH 103-104 7 I-A OH 3

OH

3 2-pheriyl 1 OH 132-134 8 I-A CH 3 OH, 4-pheriyl 1 OH 162-163 9 I-A H H 2, 4- F, 2 N 118-119 I-A H H 2, 4- F, 2 OH 144-145 11 I-A OH 3

OH

3 4-C(CH 3 )3 1 N 107-108 12 I-A OH 3 OH, 4-C(0H 3 1 OH 167-168 13 I-A OH 3

OH

3 4-O(0H 3 1 N 46-50 14 I-A OH 3 01-3 4-O(CH 3 I. OH 173-177 I-A OH 3

OH

3 4 Cl 1 N 113-114 16 I-A OH 3

OH

3 4 01 1 OH 133-134 17 I-A OH 3

OH

3 2, 4- F, 2 OH 127-131 18 I-A OH 3

OH

3 4 F 3 1 N 87-92 19 I-A OH 3

OH

3 4 -C F 3 1 OH 124-129 I-A H H 4-O(0H,),H 1 N 96-100 21 I-A H H 4-O(0H 3 2 H 1 OCH 124-126 The aromatase inhibitory activity was measured in the manner described by Covey, D. Biochem. and Biophys. Res. Commun., 157 81-86 (1988). The inhibitory activity of the compounds was evaluated in a 50% inhibitory concentration (ICso) of the aromatase activity. The ICso was less than 2x 10- 5

M.

The compounds of formula have inhibitory activity for the aromatase, so they are useful as aromatase inhibitors and useful for treating estrogendependent diseases such as breast cancer, prostatic cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine tumor, pancreatic carcinoma, endomnetriosis, polycystic ovarian disease, benign breast disease, and Cushing's syndrome The acute toxicity (LDso) of the compounds in mice is greater than 500 mg/kg; therefore, the compounds are clinically safe.

The compounds of formula may be administered by various routes such as the oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, transdermal, and rectal routes.

The compounds of formula are usually employed in the form of pharmaceutical compositions. Such compositions comprise, as active ingredient, the compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Usually the compound is mixed with a carrier, or diluted by a carrier, or enclosed with a carrier which may be in the form of a capsule or a container.

When the carrier is a diluent, it may be a solid, semisolid, or liquid material whici, acts as a vehicle, excipient, or medium. Thus, the compositions may be in the form of tablets, pills, powders, elixirs, emulsions, solutions, syrups, suspensions, aerosols, ointments, soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, sterile injectable solutions, and sterile packaged powders.

Some examples of suitable carriers and diluents include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starch, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, gelatin, syrup, methylcellulose, polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate, methyl-and propyl -hydroxybenzoates, talc, magnesium stearate, and water.

The formulations constituting compositions used in the present invention can additionally include lubricating agents, wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, preserving agents, sweetening agents, or flavoring agents. For oral administration, the compounds of this invention can be admixed with carriers or diluents and molded into tablets or enclosed in gelatin capsules. The mixtures can alternatively be dissolved in liquids such as an aqueous solution, isotonic saline, sterile water, or the like, and administered intravenously or by injection.

The compositions are preferably formulated in a unit dosage form, each dosage containing from about 0.01 to about 500 mg, preferably about 0.1 to about 300 mg, of the active ingredient.

The compounds of formula are effective over a wide dosage range. For example, dosages per day will normally fall within the range of about 0.005 to about 100 mg/kg of body weight.

In the treatment of adult humans, a range of about 0.01 to about 40 mg/kg, in single or divided doses, is preferred. However, it will be understood that the amount of the compounds actively administered will be determined byaphysician, in the light of the relevant circumstances including the condition to be treated, the age of the patient, the severity of the patient's symptoms, and the route of administration. Therefore, the above dosage ranges are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

The following examples are representative of the invention.

Example 1 (Preparation of methyl l-(p-Fluoro benzyl)-2oxocyclopentanecarboxylate) To a stirred suspension of n-hexane-washed sodium hydride (0.94 g, 39.0 mmol), there was added a solution of ethoxyethyl 2-oxocyclopentane-carboxylate (4.26 g, 30.0 mmol) in DMF (15 ml) at 0 °C The resulting solution was warmed to room temperature and then stirred for 30 min; the solution became orange. After terminal evolution of hydrogen had been confirmed, p-fluorobenzyl S 15 bromide (6.80 g, 36.0 m mol) was added to the resulting solution at 0 °C The reaction mixture was then warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight.

After terminal reaction had been confirmed by TLC, 00 i the resulting solution was poured onto ice-cold water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, o and concentrated under reduced pressure. A crude product o (9.82 g) was obtained. The crude product was purified by sio 2 column chromatography eluting with n-hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound as a white crystal (6.61 g, 88.3%; mp 38-60 0 Example 2 (Preparation of 2-(p-Fluorobenzyl)cyclopentanone) To a stirred solution of glacial acetic acid (100 ml) and an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid (12.5% 50 ml), there was added methyl l-(p-fluorobenzyl-2- 1 2 oxocyclopentanecarboxylate (14.46 g, 57.8 mmol). The mixture was refluxed under argon for 4 h.

After the product had been confirmed by TLC, the resulting solution was poured onto ice-cold water (50 ml) and extracted with diethyl ether (200 mix The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product (12.67 g).

The crude product was purified by sio 2 column chromatography eluting with n-hexane/ethyl acetate (6:1) to giv. the title compound as a yellowish liquid (Rf 0.47 n-hexane/ethyl acetate Examaple 3 of 4-(p-Fluorobenzyl)-l-oxaspiro (Preparation [2.4]heptane) Trimethylsulfoxonium iodide (6.6 g, 30.1 mmol) was dissolved in DMSO (35 ml) at room temperature and sodium hydride (0.67 g, 27.8 mmol) was added at 10 °C while being stirred to form a solution.

After the solution had been heated at room temperature and stirred for 30 min, the resulting solution became yellowish transparent. Upon confirmation of the terminal evolution of hydrogen, the solution was again warmed to 10 00 and 2- (p-fluorobenzyl) cyclopentanone (4.45 g, 23.2 mmol) was dripped into the solution. Then, the solution was stirred at room temperature for 3 h, poured onto ice cold water (30 ml), and extracted with diethyl ether (100 mlx 2).

The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product as a yellowish liquid (4.01 g, 83.9%; Rf 0.55 n-hexane/ethyl acetate Examaple 4 (Preparation of 2-(p-Fluorobenzyl)-l-(1,2,4triazol-l-yl-methyl)cyclopentanol) (Comp. No. 1) 4-(p-fluorobenzyl)-l-oxaspiro[2.4]heptane (0.66 g, 3.2mmol) was dissolved in DMF (10 ml). There was then added sodium 1,2,4-triazole (0.38 g, 4.2mmol) and the solution was stirred at 700C under argon overnight.

The resulting solution was poured onto ice-cold water and then extracted with ethyl acetate.

The organic layers were washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product (0.93g). The crude product was recrystallized from n-hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound as a white crystal (Comp.No. 1; mp 135- 136 "C 0.70 g, 79.5%.) Example (Preparation of 2-(-Fluorobenzyl)-l-(imidazol-l-ylmethyl) cyclopentanol) (Comp. No. 2) S 20 4-(p-fluorobenzyl)-l-oxaspiro[2.4]heptane (0.67 g, 3.3 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (10 ml), and sodium imidazole (0.38 g, 4.2 mmol) was added to the mixture.

o° Stirring at 70°C in a stream of argon was carried out overnight. The resulting solution was poured onto 25 ice-cold water and extracted with ethyl acetate.

SThe organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product (0.93 The crude product was recrystallized from n-hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound as a white crystal (Comp. No. 2; mp 139-1400C 0.80 g, 93.0%).

CL~ Example 6 (Preparation of Methyl Difluorobenzyl)-2 oxocyclopentanecarboxylate) To a stirred suspension of n-hexane-washed sodium hydride (0.58 g, 24 mmol), there was added a solution of methyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxlate (2.84 g, 20.0 mmol) in DMF (20 ml) at 10C After the suspension had been heated at room temperature and then stirred for 30 min, the suspension became yellowish. Upon confirmation of the terminal evolution of hydrogen, the resulting solution was again warmed to 10C and 2,4- difluorobenzyl bromide (5.38 g, 26.0mmol) was added. The solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 h. After the terminal reaction had been confirmed by TLC, the resulting solution was poured onto ice-cold water (30 ml) and extracted with diethyl ether (100 mlx 2).

The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product (6.03 The crude product was purified by chromatography on a column eluting with n-hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound as a white crystal (5.14 g, 95.8%; mp 58'C Example 7 (Preparation of 2 -(2,4-Difluorobenzyl) cyclopentanone) To a stirred solution of glacial acetic acid (100 ml) and an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid (12.5%,30 ml), there was added methyl 1-(2,4-difluorobenzyl) -2oxocyclopentanecarboxylate (5.14g, 21.6 mmol). The mixture was refluxed in a stream of argon for 5 h.

After the product had been confirmed by TLC, the resulting solution was poured onto ice-cold 1

L

~Cg~ and extracted with diethyl ether (200 mix The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product (4.07 g).

The crude product was purified by chromatography on a column eluting with n-hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound as a yellowish liquid (3.579 g, 78.7%. Rf 0.52 n-hexane/ethyl acetate Example 8 (Preparation of 4-(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)-1oxaspiro[2.4]hepane) Trimethylsulfoxonium iodide (4.86 g, 22.1 mmol,) was dissolved in DMSO (25 ml) and sodium hydride (0.49 g, 20.4 mmol) was added at 100°C while being stirred. The solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 45 min while being stirred; thereafter, the solution became transparent. After terminal evolutionof hydrogen had been confirmed, the solution was again heated at 100C and 2difluorobenzyl) cyclopentanone (3.56 g, 17.0 mmol) was dripped into the solution.

The solution was stirred at room temperature for 3 h, then poured onto ice-cold water, and extracted with diethyl ether (80 ml X 2).

The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated to give a crude product as a yellowish liquid (3.35 g, 37.9%; Rf 0.55 n-hexane/ethyl acetate Example 9 (Preparation of 2-(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)-l-(l ,2,4triazol-l-yl-methyl)cyclopentanol) (comp.No. 9) 4-(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)-l-oxaspiro[2.4]heptane (1.67 g, 7.5 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (10 ml) and sodium 1,2,4-triazole (0.88 g, 9.7 mmol) was added to the mixture. Stirring at 70C under argon was carried out overnight. The resulting solution was poured onto ice-cold water (10 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate x 2).

The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a crude product (2.79 g).

The crude product was recrystallized from nhexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound as a white crystal(Comp. No. 9; mp 118-119°C 0.46g, 18.3%).

Example (Preparation of 2-(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)-l-(imidazoll-yl-methyl) cyclopentanol) (Comp.No. 4-(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)-l-oxaspiro[2.4]heptane (1.67 g, 7.5 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (10 ml).

Sodium imidazole (0.87 g. 9.7 mmol) was added to the solution. Stirring at 70°C under argon was carried out overnight. The resulting solution was poured onto icecold water and extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mlx 2).

The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated to give a crude product (3.04 The crude product was recrystallized from n-hexane/ethyl acetate to give the title compound as a white crystal (Comp.No. 10; mp 144- 145 0C 0.618, 28.0%).

The compounds of formula in Table 1 were obtained by the same procedure as in the above examples.

Example 11 Aromatase activity was measured in the manner dericried by Covey, Biochem. Biophys. Res Commun.

157(1), 81-86 (1988).

The inhibitory activity of the compounds was evaluated in 50% inhibitory concentration (ICso) of the i 1~ aromatase.

An aromatase base was taken from microsomes of human placenta and [19-'2 4 c 4-androstene-3,17 dione was used as a substrate. H 4 COOH was released into a reaction mixture after aromatization and its radioactivity was measured to evaluate the aromatase activity.

The inhibitory activity of the aromatase and the concentration of the compounds were depicted in a graph from which the ICso was calculated.

To a solution of phosphoric acid buffer, [19- 4C] 4androstene-3, 17-dione (ixl0 6 M, 2 KBq/ml), microsomes arising from human placenta (0.1 mg/ml, protein concentration), coenzyme (2x10- 3 M),glucose-6-phosphoric acid (4x10 3 and glucose-6-phosphoric acid dehydrogenase (4U/ml) were added and reacted under stirring at 37C for 30 min.

The compound that was dissolved in DMSO was added to the reaction mixture and the final concentration of MDSO was in the range of 0.1 to 0.55% by volume.

Chloroform (5ml) was then added to the reaction mixture to terminate the reaction and to allow for recovery of the H' COOH in a water layer. The collected water layer (0.1 ml) was added in liquid scintillation cocktail (Atomlight, Dupont, 4ml) to measure its radioactivity.

4-Hydroxyandrostenedione was used as a positive control.

The results are shown in Table 2.

LFn;ar=rs~----lcomp. No.

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 Positive Control Table 2 ICso (M) 3.5x 10-6 7.0x 10-6 3.8x 10- 6 5.0x 10-6 7.3x 10-6 4.5x 10-6 3.7x 10- 6 4.1x 10- 6 7.5x 10-6 4.8x 10- 7 2.6x 10-6 4.2x 10-6 8.4x 6.Ox 10-6 4.7x 10- 6 3.Ox 4.0x 10-7 7.2x 10-6 5.5x 10-6 4.3x 10- 6 6.3x 10-6 2.0x Example 12 Female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 50 days were orally given 7,12-dimethybenzanthracene (15 mg/kg) and observed for two months. The rats that developed spontaneoas mastocarcinoma were selected and divided into three groups of 15 animals.

A first group was administered daily an ip injection for 20 consecutive days in an amount of 20mg/kg (body weight) of the compounds in a physiological salt solution ml).

1 9 A second group was also treated in the same manner as the first group except that 4-hydroxyandrostenedione was used as a positive control.

A third group was administered only an amount of 10 ml of a physiological salt solution.

After 5 days from the last injection, the rats were sacrificed to enucleate tumors.

The tumors were weighed and the mean tumor weight of the first and the second groups was calculated.

The mean tumor weight of the third group was also calculated. On the basis of these results, the inhibition rate of tumor growth was calculated from the following equation.

C T Inhibition rate x 100

C

The results are shown in Table 3.

2 0 Table 3 comp. No.

1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 Positive Control I. R. 64 74 53 58 72 71 73 63 74 83 67 63 72 48 Example 13 This formulation relates to one example of a pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition was made of the following ingredients in the indicated amounts.

Compound No, 1 100mg Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Mono-oleate Starch 250mg The composition was mixed uniformly to give a powder and put into a capsule.

Claims

1. A method of inhibiting arcmatase in a patient comprising administering to the patient in need thereof an aromatase-inhibiting amount of a compound of the formula rI HO CH2 R2 (R3)I R CH H.R t"V wherein R, represents a hydrogen atom or a (Ci-Cs) alkyl group; Rz represents a hydrogen atom or a alkyl group; R 3 represents a halogen atom, a (CI-C 5 alkyl group, a haloalkyl group, a phenyl group, a cyano group, or a nitro group, R 3 being either the same or different; n represents an integer of 0 to 5; and yj represents a nitrogen atr>n or CH; pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. or a

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said compound is of the formula n-N I HO, CH2 R2 /Y (Ra)n Ri 2 2 ITi"ll-- wherein R, Rz, R Y, and n have the same meaning as in claim 1.

3. A method of treating estrogen-dipendent diseases by inhibiting aromatase in a pati.,nt comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of the formula n---N I HO CH2 R2 (R3)n CH2 wherein RI represents a hydrogen atom or a (ci-cr) alkyl group; Rz represents a hydrogen atom or a (c -cs) alkyl group; Ra represents a halogen atom, a (ci-cs) alkyl group, a haloalkyl group, a phenyl group, a cyano group, or a nitro group, R 3 being either the same or different; and y represents a nitrogen atom or CH; and n represents an integer of 0 to 5; or a Pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is of the formula: 2 3 R2 /-(R3)n SICH2 wherein R 3 Y, and n have the same meaning as in claim 3. A method of inhibiting aromatase in a patient comprising administering to the patient an aromatase- inhibiting amount of a compound of formula (I) substantially as herein described. Dated this 14th day of May 1993 KUREHA CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD. By their Patent Attorney GRIFFITH HACK CO. 2 4 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention provides a method of inhibiting aromatase and treating of estrogen-dependent diseases in a patient by administering azole derivatives as nonsteroidal inhibitors. The azole derivative has the formula YN HO CH2 R2 (Ra)n Ri CH2 where RI is a hydrogen or a alkyl;R 2 is a hydrogen or a (CI-c 6 alkyl;R 3 is any of a halogen,a (ci-c 5 alkyl, a haloalkyl, a phenyl, a cyano, or nitro; n is 0 to 5; a nd Y is a nitrogen atom or CH.